Ramallah museum to show Picasso for first time

Khaled Horani, director of the International Art Academy in the Palestinian city of Ramallah, said delivering the masterpiece safely to the Israeli-occupied West Bank had posed a logistical challenge.
"A Dutch group visited the Palestinian territories more than once to make sure the security situation was OK and that the museum where the painting is to be kept has suitable temperature and humidity," he told AFP.
The work had to pass through an Israeli military checkpoint on its journey.
"This is a historical moment for us," he said. "Even though we will have it for one month only."
"It says we are worthy to be like other countries that exhibit paintings by a famous artist like Picasso."
The academy quoted Charles Esche, director of the Van Abbe Museum, as saying it was a historic event not only for the Palestinians.
"Our Picasso will be changed by its journey to Ramallah, it will take on extra meaning and the story will remain a part of the history of the painting from this moment on," it said.
"It feels like we are constructing new histories with such a project as well as preserving old ones," it added.
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